DV Journal

(From a press release.)

Delaware County will celebrate its first-ever Delco Gives Day on May 8-9. More then 285 nonprofits have signed up to participate in the inaugural giving day.

Hosted by The Foundation for Delaware County, this 24-hour county-wide celebration of giving invites donations to nonprofits via delcogives.org on May 8-9. The event will culminate with a celebration of Delco’s community spirit and generosity at Rose Tree Park (4:30 -7:00 p.m.) on May 9. The community is invited to join the festivities.

The celebration at Rose Tree Park will feature family-friendly activities, including carnival games, music, food trucks, free ice cream, and a special appearance by local mascots the Phillie Phanatic, Gritty, and Phang. iHeart Radio’s Bex and Buster will be broadcasting live, and Jason Martinez from FOX29 will be the emcee. More than 100 nonprofits will be in attendance. The Foundation will announce the final Delco Gives amount raised at 7:00 p.m.! (Rain location is Sun Center Studios.)

“Delco Gives is truly a celebration of our community spirit, connecting businesses and people to 285+ nonprofits enhancing lives in the county. We hope you can join us and celebrate the nonprofits that provide critical resources and services right here in our backyard,” said Frances Sheehan, President of The Foundation for Delaware County.

Sheehan added, “If you or your employees are looking for volunteer opportunities and want to support Delco Gives, you can find a list of volunteer opportunities. 

What is Delco Gives Day?

Delco Gives Day is a county-wide celebration of generosity, unity, and shared purpose. The 24-hour giving period will kick off at 7:00 p.m. on May 8 and wrap up at 7:00 p.m. on May 9. It’s a unique opportunity for Delaware County residents to support the nonprofits that tirelessly serve our community and make a difference in the lives of the people in our county.

Beginning May 8 at 7:00 p.m., donors can visit delcogives.org from a computer, smartphone device, or in-person drop-off site and make a donation to the more than 285 participating nonprofits. Every donation qualifies for bonus funding provided by the Foundation, and Delco Gives sponsors, maximizing the impact of each contribution. In addition, bonus prizes provided by local businesses will be awarded throughout the giving period.

Many Local Businesses Support Delco Gives

Delco Gives is a testament to an incredibly generous community. Local businesses have jumped in to provide bonus dollars and cash prizes for participating nonprofits, including Power Home Remodeling (POWER), the presenting sponsor for Delco Gives.

Additional sponsors include Aqua, an Essential Utilities Company; Brinker Simpson & Company; The Boeing Company; Burns’ Family ShopRite and The Fresh Grocer Supermarkets; Citadel Credit Union; Comcast NBCUniversal; Cork and Charm; Courtyard Philadelphia Springfield; Delaware County Interactive Gaming Revenue Authority; Fairfield Inn & Suites Philadelphia Broomall/Newtown Square; Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union; The GIANT Company; The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust; Harrah’s Philadelphia; The Haverford Trust Company; Wilbur C. & Betty Lea Henderson Foundation; Independence Blue Cross; Laborers’ District Council of Philadelphia Baltimore, Washington & Vicinity; National Realty Corporation; PECO; Philadelphia Union; Springfield Country Club; State Farm – Ed Hanway; TD Bank, N.A.; Visit Delco; Wawa; WSFS CARES Foundation; and more.

Interested in sponsoring Delco Gives? Learn more here.

About The Foundation for Delaware County

The Foundation for Delaware County is the largest grantmaking philanthropy in Delaware County, PA. One of 900 community foundations across the U.S., the Foundation offers support and resources for nonprofits of every size, helps generous people give with more impact, brings together funders, nonprofits, and elected officials to address critical community problems, and responds to major challenges and crises as they arise.

In addition to grant funding, the Foundation operates the Center for Nonprofit Excellence to strengthen Delaware County’s nonprofit community through training workshops and peer learning opportunities. The Foundation encourages philanthropy by connecting donors to worthy causes through efficient charitable giving vehicles like donor-advised and scholarship funds. On May 8-9, 2024, the Foundation will launch Delaware County’s first 24-hour online giving day, Delco Gives Day.

In addition, the Foundation operates the prestigious public health programs Healthy Start, the WIC nutrition program, and Nurse-Family Partnership, as well as the Housing Opportunities Program for Equity (HOPE), El Centro (a Hispanic resource center) and a health resource center for students in the Chester Upland School District. To learn more, visit the Foundation and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @DelcoFdn.

From a press release

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce Frances M. Sheehan as the recipient of the 2023 ATHENA® Leadership Award. Sheehan will be honored during the prestigious 2023 ATHENA® Leadership Luncheon, scheduled for Wednesday, October 4 at the Springfield Country Club.

“I have long admired the women who have received the Athena Award in Delaware County and am humbled that I’ll be included in this esteemed group of leaders.” said Sheehan. “They have contributed to the growth and vitality of our county in so many ways. I’m honored that others see me alongside them and look forward to a wonderful event.”

A committee comprised of business leaders from the community selected Sheehan based on her high level of professional excellence, eager and action to improve the quality of life for others in the community and willingness to actively assist others, particularly women, in realizing their full leadership potential.

Sheehan is the first president of Delaware County’s largest philanthropy, The Foundation for Delaware County, an independent public foundation formed on July 1, 2016. She came to the foundation six months later, after serving as the founding President and CEO of the Brandywine Health Foundation (currently the Alliance for Health Equity) in Coatesville, Chester County for 15 years.

With 75+ staff operating in four offices in Delaware County, The Foundation for Delaware County provides philanthropic services to donors who wish to invest in Delaware County, makes grants to launch new initiatives and supports non-profits improving Delaware County, and runs high quality, evidence-based public health programs such as Nurse-Family Partnership, Healthy Start and WIC. The Foundation has been fully accredited by the Council on Foundation’s “National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations,” and has achieved Guidestar’s Platinum status.

Prior to her work at the Brandywine Health Foundation, Sheehan ran Planned Parenthood of Chester County, and has served on a variety of boards of directors including the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry and as president of the Philanthropy Network of Greater Philadelphia. She currently serves as President of the Delaware County Estate Planning Council, Vice Chair of the Delaware County Interactive Gaming Revenue Authority, and serves on the board of directors of the Delaware County Economic Development Oversight Board, the Riverfront Alliance of Delaware County, and Children First (formerly PCCY).

With an MBA from Temple University and a BA with honors from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., she also holds Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) certifications and has won several awards over the years including the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award, the Main Line Chamber’s Gold Leaf Award, March of Dimes Woman of Achievement in the Field of Health, and the Chester County Chamber of Commerce’s Robert J. Thompson Citizen of the Year Award. Ms. Sheehan has been a resident of Swarthmore for over 30 years and is the previous President of Congregation Ohev Shalom in Wallingford. She is married to Dr. Ricardo Gelman, a retired emergency physician from Penn Medicine – Chester County Hospital and has two grown children and two new granddaughters.

The ATHENA Leadership Award was inspired by the goddess of Greek mythology known for her strength, courage, wisdom and enlightenment – qualities embodied in the ATHENA Leadership Model. The Award is unique in both scope—local, national and international—and the ATHENA mission upon which it is based. The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented to a woman —or man— who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.

Since the program’s inception in 1982, more than 7,000 exemplary leaders in over 500 communities have received the prestigious ATHENA Award in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, China, Greece, India, Russia, Unite Arab Emirates and United Kingdom. By honoring exceptional leaders, the ATHENA Leadership Award Program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence in their professional and personal lives.